Low flash powder for mid-range .357 magnum ?

I want to load up some mid range loads for my 4" revolver as a close range Deer gun for those occasions when a big doe walks out under my stand that I can also comfortably enjoy as a range load. I'm looking for about 1000-1100 FPS from a 158 grain bullet. Ya'll have any suggestions on a powder that's known to not throw big fireballs at such velocities? I now there are LOTS of choices in powder in this velocity range but I want to get specific about not having a big blinding light show.

 

8.4 grains Silhouette

 

5.8gr of Titegroup works great for me. I put it through 686-6 with 4” barrel. Averaging about 1075fps

 

It’s not my favorite powder because I prefer lead flat nose bullets but with 14.5gr of Accurate No.11FS under a Speer 158gr JHP you’ll get around 1100fps from a 4” revolver. The FS is for Flash Suppressant. It’s low flash but a real slow powder kinda kin to W296. No good for lead but great for jacketed bullets as long as the jacket covers the base.

 

BE-86
it contains flash suppressant and although it isn't optimized for maximum velocity in 357 Magnum
It will get you into the velocities you desire.
(This powder is optimum for 9mm, 40s&w, 357 SIG and other Automatics.)
In low light in 357 Mag, even BE-86 will produce a noticeable flash especially via cylinder gap.

Otherwise there is always that "Huh" factor... sometimes certain combos just don't flash much, and others do, for no particular reason (that I can figure out)..... 2400 under any hardcast lubed lead doesn't flash much for me. Or at least a lot less flash than say WW-296 or Blue Dot.
I have also loaded AA#9 with a lot less flash than 296 or BD.

I use WW-296 under 158 gr jacketed deepcurls for deer. I never really have been bothered by any flash it creates, even in low light... but I recall seeing flash present for sure.

 

BE-86

 

I'll add Accurate #7 to the mix

 

Another vote for BE-86. An excellent powder.

 

CFE-P at near-max doesn't have much flash from my 3 inch Colt.

158 gr XTP JHP averages about 960 fps from that barrel & load. Not a barn-burner.

 

H-110 is NOT the powder you’re looking for



I find Unique and Bullseye are pretty low-flash for low and mid range .357 loads..I haven’t tried BE-86, that sounds like its pretty good according to the guys above.

Stay safe.

 

Thanks guys! I should add the powder will primarily go under a flat nose lead bullet from Rim Rock but I do have some JHP's on the bench that will get used also I'm sure.

 

My profile picture is exactly my load....

 

I have never tried BE-86, but it sure sounds like what the OP is looking for. I like Power Pistol for my “less than W-296/H-110/300-MP” loads, but it is fairly flashy. Has anyone tried Ramshot True Blue in the upper mid range .357 Magnum loads?

 

Yes and at the starting load of 8.8 grains I start having signs of sticky extraction...

 

That's interesting, it looks like Hodgdon dropped True Blue from their online load data for .357 Magnum.
Wonder if there may be a problem there. I've not tried it in .357 yet, won't now.

 

I've only tested it with lead and it may be better with jacketed.... my primary cartridges are 38 for broc and 357 for me so I would be bullet broke if I was buying jacketed....

 

I also recommend BE-86. I went through about 20 pounds of it when it was available but I haven't seen it on the shelves for the past 2+ years.

 

20 pounds!? Lawdy, you do a LOT of shooting. Whew.

 

I tried it out. Not impressed. No.5 and No.7 are better. I've seen good reports for Silhouette but haven't tried it, yet.

 

The wife and I were doing a lot of indoor pistol shooting with short barreled guns and the range lanes themselves were not very brightly lite so we were seeing a lot of flash so I switched to Ramshot Silhouette and the problem vanished.

 

Hmmm, Western Powders load data Edition 6.0 lists True Blue data with bullet weights from 110 gr JHP to 187 gr lead SWC. I guess I will have to load a few to see how they work. I will start low, based on AJC1’s post #15.

 

What I referenced was printed in 2016. Western Powder's #1 manual
I just found Western Powders #8 manual and it still has same data as #1 and #6.
#8 = ©2020 Western Powders, Inc.
Guess Hodgdon's omitting Trueblue's data is a recent development.

So would I as much as I shoot .357 mag.

 

Silhouette is a low flash powder. But, so far I’ve only used it in 9mm.

 

I have used it in 380, 9mm 38Spl, 45acp and it has worked well in all of them and much better than some other powders I have tried..